Lancaster DS686 damaged by enemy aircraft, returned to Linton on Ouse (or East Moor) airfield.

On the night of 20th / 21st October 1943 the crew of this 426 Squadron aircraft took off from Linton on Ouse airfield at 17.15hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Leipzig. Before reaching the target area the Lancaster was attacked four times by an Me109, initially while flying at 17,000 feet above a thick layer of cloud. In the first attack cannon fire hit the tail and then raked the fuselage, the mid upper turret was damaged and the mid upper gunner received wounds to the arms, legs, chest and an eye. A fuel tanks was holed, the cockpit area was also damaged with the front windscreen smashed and various flying instruments knocked out, the trailing aerial was also shot away, the hydraulic system was damaged and the Gee and wireless equipment damaged. The pilot took evasive action but the Me109 made three more attacks on the Lancaster but the pilot managed to keep taking evasive action and no further damage resulted. During all attacks the rear gunner returned fire. It would have been understandable if the crew then opted to abandon the bombing orders to Leipzig but they didn't and pressed on to the target area. While roughly flying over the Bremen area the Lancaster was then attacked three times by a Junkers Ju88, evasive action was again taken and the rear gunner returned fire driving off the Ju88. No further damage to the Lancaster resulted and again they opted to press on for Leipzig. They returned to Yorkshire, landing safely at 01.10hrs, given as being at base of Linton on Ouse though East Moor is quoted on Richard Koval's superb 6 Group website. By the time this aircraft would have returned to Linton on Ouse Lancaster DS771 had been involved in a collision on the ground with Lancaster DS726 on the periemter track at Linton, it's possible that all later returning aircraft were then diverted to land at East Moor because of the damaged aircraft at Linton on Ouse.

For their actions on this night Frederick Stuart was awarded the C.G.M. and Roderick Dunphy was later awarded the D.F.C. Their citations add much more detail to this incident, the citation for the pilot's C.G.M. reads.. "One night in October 1943, this airman piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Leipzig. Before the target was reached the aircraft was intercepted by a fighter which attacked with great persistence. Much damage was sustained before Flight Sergeant Stuart succeeded in flying clear. Shortly afterwards, another fighter made a series of attacks, but with superb skill, Flight Sergeant Stuart evaded them. His aircraft was badly crippled. The cockpits, turrets, hydraulic gear and other essential equipment were damaged. The petrol tanks had been pierced, and one of the gunners wounded. Undaunted, this valiant pilot went on to bomb his target, and afterwards flew the crippled bomber to base where he effected a masterly landing. In the face of heavy odds, this airman set an example of courage, resolution and devotion to duty beyond praise."

Pilot - F/O ("F/Sgt") Frederick John Stuart RAFVR (658038 / 158306).

Navigator - P/O ("F/O") Roderick James Dunphy RCAF (J/13843).

Bomb Aimer - F/O James Harper Dodge RCAF (J/21046).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - P/O ("Sgt") John William Flynn RAFVR (1331369 / 158411).

Mid Upper Gunner - Sgt Francis Joseph McGovern RAFVR (2208882). Injured.

Rear Gunner - F/Sgt George Varnum Andrew RCAF (R/90358).

Flight Engineer - Sgt Frank Richard Taylor RAFVR (1735147).

On the night of 20th / 21st December 1943 five of the above crew were again flying together with 426 Squadron, on this night they were flying Lancaster LL630 on Ops to Frankfurt when the aircraft crashed in Germany. All on board were sadly killed. Stuart, Taylor, Dunphy, Flynn and Andrew are all buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
Frederick Stuart's life is well detailed on a number of websites including the superb "426sqdn.ca" and also as part of Hugh Halliday's air awards' research. As a result of being awarded the CGM the events of 20th October 1943 are also well covered on the internet. He was born in 1916 in Newcastle, England and had worked as a clerk before serving in the Royal Artillery until 1941 when he transferred to the RAF and undertook pilot training. Technically he received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 4th April 1943 and rose to F/O six months later but the 427 Squadron records and his CGM citation list him in the rank of Flight Sergeant in October 1943. There must be a reason for this but I have not learnt it. He was recommended for the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) following his actions on the night of 20th October 1943 (as detailed above), the award was granted and notification printed in the London Gazette on 19th November 1943. The recommendation was more detailed than the citation and this reads.. "During the attack on Leipzig on the night of the 20th October 1943, Flight Sergeant Stuart was captain of a Lancaster aircraft which was twice engaged by enemy night fighters. The first attack came from a Messerschmitt 109 while en route to the target. The attack was pressed home and direct hits from cannon and machine guns raked the bomber causing serious damage and wounding the mid-upper air gunner. After a total of four attacks the Messerschmitt 109 was forced to break off the engagement due to the pilot's skilful evasive action. Flight Sergeant Stuart was no sooner on his course when a Junkers 88 attacked. The pilot again evaded three attacks, his superb airmanship enabling him to outmanoeuvre the enemy fighter with his crippled bomber. Despite severe damage, including shattered cockpits and turrets, holed petrol tanks, damaged hydraulics and navigational instruments destroyed, and a gunner wounded, the pilot decided to complete his mission and again set course for the target. After successfully bombing the primary objective, Flight Sergeant Stuart guided his crippled bomber back to base and made a masterly landing. This display of offensive spirit, gallantry and superb airmanship in face of heavy odds undoubtedly saved the aircraft and the crew. I consider this devotion to duty and gallant conduct fully merits the award of the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying)." An accomodation block at RAF Linton on Ouse was named the Stuart Block in his honour in 2007.

John Flynn received a commission to P/O on probation on 14th June 1943. He is listed as being in the rank of Sergeant in 427 Squadron records in October 1943.

Roderick Dunphy was born on 15th June 1923 in Souris, Manitoba, Canada and was the son of Kenneth Austin and Elle Henderson (nee Rae) Dunphy. He lived in Manitoba until 1930 when the family moved to Fort William, Ontario until 1939 when he moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba with his family. He was unemployed when he enlisted for RCAF service on 12th September 1941 in Winnipeg and after training was awarded his air navigator's flying badge and also a commission on 28th August 1942. He was posted overseas a few months later and having risen to F/O six months after his commission he trained at 22 OT, being posted to 426 Squadron on 20th March 1943. For service with 426 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 8th May 1945 (but effective of 19th December 1943), mainly for his actions on 20th October 1943 in Lancaster DS686. The citation reads.."Flight Lieutenant Dunphy has taken part in numerous operational sorties, the majority of which have been directed against major German targets. During a mission to Leipzig in October 1943, his aircraft was twice engaged by enemy fighters and sustained in all seven attacks. The aircraft suffered severe damage and all the navigational instruments were destroyed. Despite this, Flight Lieutenant Dunphy by superb navigation directed the pilot to the target and back to base. This officer has invariably shown a high degree of skill and courage."

George Varnum Andrew was born on 11th January 1923 in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada and was the son of George A C and Elizabeth Harriet (nee Varnum) Andrew. He left school in 1940 and was unemployed prior to enlisting for RCAF service in London, Ontario on 3rd March 1941, initially receiving pilot training but later switching to air gunnery training. While serving in Canada he married Esther Jones in Chatham, New Brunswick in September 1941, he was then awarded his air gunner's flying badge on 14th August 1942. On arrival in the UK in October 1942 he was posted to 22 OTU later in the month and with training complete he was posted to 426 Squadron on 20th February 1943 who were flying Wellingtons at that time. He later converted to the four engined bombers at 1679 HCU and then received a commission on 1st November 1943. The superb "www.sarniahistoricalsociety.com" gives additional information on his life.

James Harper Dodge was born on 29th March 1923 at Spirit Rover, Alberta, Canada and was the son of Freeman James and Edith Catherine (nee McKinnon) Dodge. After leaving high school in June 1941 he began working as a clerk in his father's hardware shop. He enlisted for RCAF service in Edmonton, Alberta on 6th March 1942, being awarded his air bomber's flying badge on 20th November 1942 and a commission on the same date. He left for service in the UK soon after and over coming months trained at 22 OTU before posting to 426 Squadronon 20th May 1943 (who were flying Wellingtons at that time). He then converted to flying to four engined bombers at 1679 HCU before returning to 426 Squadron and resuming his tour. He was killed on 28th January 1944 when 426 Squadron Lancaster DS686 crashed in Germany (the same and repaired Lancaster as involved in this major battle damage incident in October 1943). He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Francis McGovern was born in St.Helens, Lancashire in 1924 and had served in the ATC before enlisting for RAF service in early 1943. He sustained serious injuries as a result of the incident on 20th October 1943 and was in hospital for four months. He received a commission on 6th April 1944. On his return to service 426 Squadron his first operational flight after injury was in late-March 1944. He later served with 432 Squadron before flying a second tour with 426 Squadron. He was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 13th October 1944. Post-WW2 he remained in the RAFVR at least until 1st November 1947 when he was granted a substantive rank of F/Lt.

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